Top 8 Things to Consider When Deciding Between Colleges You’ve Been Accepted To

You’ve spent hours on studying for exams, writing entry essays, and completing applications. You’ve been accepted to multiple colleges. You’re ready to make one of the biggest decisions of your life… but you’re not sure what to do next. 

Deciding on a college to attend is a major life choice. There are so many factors to consider and it can feel overwhelming. Here’s our checklist of the top 8 things to think about when deciding which college to attend. 

1. Majors and Programs of Study

The first thing to consider when deciding between colleges are the majors that are offered. While you likely applied to colleges that you know had programs you would be interested it, there are always discrepancies in how each college approaches the field of study.

It’s important to explore things like the courses offered, the number of students pursing that major, the outline of courses required to graduate, and internship programs offered. These things will vary from college to college and can have an impact on your satisfaction in your education. 

2. Campus

Campuses vary greatly from college to college. While some colleges make up the majority of a town, others are contained within 1-2 large buildings. The size of the campus has less to do with the academics, and more to do with the lifestyle one is looking to obtain. Some are looking for a long walk with peers across campus between classes, and others prefer to arrive at their building and stay there until their day of classes is complete. 

Campus tours are a great way to develop an understanding of what daily life would be like there. You can get a glimpse of campus transportation, green spaces, study areas, the library, gyms, trails, and more. 

3. Location

Some kids graduate from high school ready to fly right out of the nest and across the country to college, and some don’t! Location is another factor to consider when deciding on what college to attend. 

If you live in Atlanta and were accepted to both a state college and a college in California, think about how often you’ll want to travel home. Costs to fly back and forth can add up! Some want to stay close to home for the feeling of safety, or to be near to their support group and strong friendships. Others are ready for a fresh beginning in a brand new place.

4. Housing

The next important thing to take a look at when deciding on which college to attend is the available housing. Does the college require first year students to live in dorms? Are there apartments available in the area? 

“College life” is often quite different from what students have grown up in living at home and it is helpful to think about things like sharing a bathroom, sleeping on bunk beds, and the hours of a community kitchen before it’s a permanent situation. 

5. Extracurriculars 

Extracurriculars are activities that fall outside the scope of the curriculum at the college. And they’re another factor to consider when deciding which college to attend. Find out what options each school has to offer: college sports, recreational sports, gyms, clubs, volunteering, and leadership opportunities are all exciting to look into. Explore what is available and keep an eye out for extracurriculars that interest you!

6. Financial Aid / Scholarships 

A very impactful consideration when deciding which college to attend is the financial aid and scholarships available to you at each college. In- and out-of-state tuition are often quite different, with out-of-state tuition being much higher. If you choose a college with a higher tuition rate, financial aid may not cover all of your costs.

Colleges offer many scholarship opportunities, but being awarded a scholarship at one school doesn’t guarantee that you will at another and the funding for the scholarships will vary. Some will cover tuition or partial tuition. Some will cover books and other fees. And some will offer money that you can put towards what you need, like living expenses. 

7. Accreditation 

If you’re deciding between colleges that look quite similar in terms of the other consideration factors, take some time to look into their accreditations. Colleges with higher levels of accreditation will attract the best professors and teaching staff. A degree from a highly accredited university also stands out to future employers. 

8. Prestige and Reputation 

Speaking of future employers, keeping your future dream job in mind can aid in decision making. When applying for jobs, some companies consider things like the prestige of the school attended when deciding who to hire. Consider the field you’d like to work in one day and then look for schools that have a reputation of having their students hired in similar positions. 

Ultimately, deciding between colleges you’ve been accepted to is a task that you have to take on with a trust in your gut feeling. Consider and compare the factors on the checklist and then go with what feels right. Congratulations on making such a huge and impactful life decision! 


How to Know When You Need Math Tutoring

Math is unlike other subjects in that it builds upon itself and you need a strong foundation to keep learning. Many students don’t realize that they need math tutoring until their grades reflect that they’re struggling. Once your grades are low, it can be hard to catch up on content and improve your grade. So what signs can you look out for before getting your semester grade? Here’s how to know when you need math help. 

Missing Building Blocks

One of the biggest reasons that students need math help is that they’re missing pre-requisite information vital to their current class. For example, without a strong understanding of addition, it will be incredibly challenging to learn multiplication. Because math is cumulative in nature, missing building blocks will cause challenges. 

So the first sign that you need math help is that you’re missing foundational knowledge needed to move forward in the content. Are there things in class that “everyone else” seems to know without it being explained? Does the teacher refer to unknown concepts that “should’ve been taught last year” or “from a chapter you covered last semester?” Missing building blocks is a sign you may need math help. 

Math Facts and Mental Math Challenges 

The next sign that you may need math help is if you’re struggling with math facts and mental math. The purpose of learning math facts and practicing mental math strategies is to increase the pace and accuracy with which math problems can be solved. 

If you’re unable to quickly recall simple math facts or solve simple math problems in your head, your math work may take longer. You may also have math fact errors within a more complex problem that cause you to come to the incorrect answer. If math facts and mental math are challenging for you, you may need math help. 

Unable to Apply Strategies 

Sometimes in math, it is possible to understand the logic behind a formula or a strategy, yet still be unable to apply it to solve a problem. If this is the case for you, it’s another sign that you may need math help. It can also be challenging to apply knowledge to real life scenarios. For example, being able to add and subtract with decimals, but unable to apply that to figuring out how much change you should get back at the grocery store. 

The use and application of formulas and strategies only grows as math continues to build upon itself. Recognizing the signs of needing math help early can help to combat future challenges in understanding, applying, and utilizing math skills. 

Math Anxiety 

Another sign that you may need math help is experiencing math anxiety. Anxiety around math could present as talking negatively to yourself about math, avoidance of math work, high amounts of nervousness surrounding math assignments, and physical signs of anxiety such as upset stomach, clammy hands, and the feeling of wanting to cry. 

Math anxiety can prevent you from being able to perform at your best on assignments, quizzes and tests and the anxiety is often tied to a lack of understanding of the content. If you’re experiencing math anxiety, you may need math help. 

Decrease in Grades

The last, and likely the most clear sign that you need math help is a decrease in performance or grades. If you’re noticing a dip in your grades, or you’re not receiving the scores you’d like, it may be time to look into some form of math help.  

If any of these signs sound or feel familiar to you, you might be in need of math help. Consider talking to your teacher, joining a study group, or hiring a tutor.

Atlanta Tutors offers private math tutoring for all math subjects, ages Kindergarten-12th Grade and College.


Looking for a Tutor? Here’s What to Ask to Find a Good One

Looking for a tutor? Tutoring can be beneficial for essentially any child who participates in a course that matches their needs. Courses range from subject specific tutoring, to SAT Prep, to special education tutoring. Once you’ve determined what course work your child needs, it’s time to look for your tutor. But a simple google search will reveal how many options are out there and how daunting that task can be. Whether you go with a company or an independent private tutor, here’s what to ask to find a good one! 

1. What training do you have? / What training is required for tutors at your company? 

Becoming a tutor only requires a high school diploma or a GED, but there are many opportunities for tutoring education & training that provide tutors with the opportunity to be a high quality tutor. When you’re looking for a tutor, ask what education and training the tutor has or what the company requires of their tutors. Their response will give you insight into the quality of tutoring experience you can expect. 

2. What type of student do you have experience working with? / What type of students does your tutoring company typically serve?

When you’re looking for a tutor, it’s important to understand what type of student your potential tutors have experience working with and serving. What grades have they worked with? What needs have they served? If a tutor only has experience serving as an SAT Prep course tutor, they may not be as well suited to teach your 2nd grader to decode a reading passage. If a tutoring company is set up to target serving children with special needs, they may not be as well suited to teach a gifted student in calculus. A background in working with students similar to your own child will be beneficial to look for in a tutor.  ​

3. What are some of your go-to targeted strategies in your area of tutoring expertise? / Are the tutors at your company trained in any specific teaching strategies? 

When you’re looking for a tutor, it’s because you’re intending to have one of your child’s needs met. Asking this question will ensure that there is a strong possibility that the tutor will actually be able to meet those needs. If you’re looking for a tutor to teach your child to read, a high quality tutor will be able to list off targeted strategies they use to teach children to read. Some tutoring companies ensure fidelity between their tutors by using a certain curriculum or company-wide teaching strategies. Subject mastery is an indication that they’ll likely be able to meet your child’s needs in that area. 

4. How do you communicate with students and families? 

Strong communication skills are important for a tutor. They’ll be communicating with your child, you as the parent, the company they work for, and potentially your child’s teacher and other school personnel. They’ll need to communicate on a regular, on-going basis and keep detailed logs of these communications. When looking for a tutor, identify how they intend to communicate with you about scheduling, student progress (or lack thereof), payment, results of assessments, and other things that may come up. If they don’t have a specific answer for you on how and when they communicate, this may be a red flag. 

5. What do you love about tutoring? / What qualities do you expect from tutors that work for your company? 

The most high quality tutors will have a true passion for learning and instilling the ability to learn in others (your child).  Before asking this question, have an idea in your mind about what is important to you in a tutor. Some qualities to look for are passion for learning, growth mindset, ability to connect with children and build rapport, patience, engagement and creativity, strong communication and organization, content mastery, and confidentiality in their work. 

Atlanta Tutors is your local source for high quality tutoring and test preparation. We offer individualized, in-home tutoring for all K-12 subjects and personalized test preparation for the SSAT, SAT, ACT, and more.

Top Private Schools in Atlanta: Where They Are and How to Identify Them

Attending a private school has many advantages including smaller class sizes, more one-on-one attention per child, the incorporation of individual family values, and more student autonomy. If you live in Atlanta and are looking for a private school, you know there are many options to choose from. So, what are the top private schools in Atlanta? Here we’ll discuss where they are and how to identify them. 

Identifying a Top Private School in Atlanta 

When looking at top private schools in Atlanta, some ways to help you identify them are test scores, teacher to student ratio, reviews, graduation rates, college acceptance, and specific programs they’re known for. 

Test Scores 

School test scores are public knowledge and easily accessible through online search. Test scores are a great indicator of the academic expectation at a certain school, and gives insight to how students who attend that school typically perform on statewide assessments as well as tests like the SAT and ACT. 

Teacher to Student Ratio

In general, private schools have a smaller teacher to student ratio than most public or charter schools. This is one of the top reasons families choose a private school education. Teacher to student ratio is a good indicator to how much one-one-one attention your child will receive throughout the day. The smaller the teacher to student ratio, the more likely it is that your child will be provided with an education that is tailored to their individual learning strengths and needs. The top private schools in Atlanta have as low as a 6:1 student to teacher ratio, giving the teacher ample opportunity to serve each child as an individual.

Reviews 

Parent and student reviews are a great way to get insight into how other families felt about their experiences in the top private schools in Atlanta. Honest reviews will give prospective families an opinion outside of school personnel, who often see the school in terms of their “numbers” or performance. Reviews will give an idea of how students and families felt while attending, which is an indicator of how your child may feel while attending! Did previous students feel safe and happy during their time in this private school? It’s likely your child will too!

Graduation Rates and College Acceptance 

A large indicator of performance in private schools is their graduation rates and their college acceptance statistics. Many of the top private schools in Atlanta have 100% graduation rates and will divulge the colleges that their students go on to attend to provide an idea of what your child can expect to achieve after graduation. 

Programs They’re Known For

Another way to identify a top private school in Atlanta that’s right for you is to look at the specific programs they’re known for. For example, if your child is interested in entering the technology field, a school top ranked in their STEM program may be their best option. 

Top Private Schools in Atlanta 

Calculated based on test scores, teacher-student ratio, reviews, and graduation rates, here are the top 5 private schools in Atlanta. 

1. Westminster Schools (K-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1420

Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #1 Best High School for STEM in Georgia, #1 Best Private High School in Georgia, #1 Best Christian High School in Georgia 

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, Emory University, Stanford University 

Westminster is generally regarded as the best private school in Georgia and one of the best private schools in the entire southeast.

2. Pace Academy (K-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1340

Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #2 Best Private K-12 School in Georgia, #5 Best High School for Athletes in Fulton County 

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, University of NC at Chapel Hill, University of Virginia 

3. Atlanta International School (PK-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1320

Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #5 Most Diverse Private High School in Georgia, #7 Best High School for STEM in Georgia, #4 Best Private High School in Georgia 

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, New York University 

4. The Paideia School (PK-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1360

Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #4 Best College Prep Private High School in Georgia, #1 Best High School for STEM in DeKalb County 

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University 

5. Woodward Academy (PK-12)

Test Scores: Average SAT Score 1280

Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1

Graduation Rate: 100%

Program Rankings: #3 Best High School for Athletes in Fulton County, #5 Best College Prep Private High School in Fulton County

Top Colleges Attended Post Graduation: University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Auburn University


Atlanta Tutors LLC provides in-home tutoring and test preparation for the SSAT, SAT, ACT, and more. Give us a call (678-412-5457) or send us an email ([email protected]) to learn more.


8 Reasons Your Child can Benefit from Guitar Lessons (and Where to Take Them in Atlanta!)

Playing the guitar is about more than just music! Learning to play the guitar has many benefits, especially for children, from improving concentrating and memory to inspiring creativity. The advantages to playing the guitar are more than parents might think! Here are 8 reasons your child can benefit from guitar lessons and where your child can take them in Atlanta!

BENEFITS

Confidence

When children learn to play the guitar, it will give them a sense of accomplishment outside of their academic performance. While learning to skills required to play their favorite song on guitar, they will gain confidence in themselves. This will transfer to other parts of their life, giving them the confidence to try new things, attempt things they perceive as challenging, and keep working through adversity. 

Multitasking

Playing the guitar requires many, many technical skills. All at once, your child will need to read the music, play the right note, use the correct finger position, stay in time with the count, and listen to the music they’re playing to ensure that it sounds as it’s supposed to. While learning to play guitar through lessons, children will also be learning to multitask, which is a skill that can be carried on throughout their life. 

Concentration & Memory

According to the American Psychological Association, learning to play an instrument as a child helps to keep the brain able to react quickly with age. But learning to play an instrument, including the guitar, is a challenging task! Through continuous lessons, children will build their concentration to reading the music, playing each note correctly, and where their fingers are on the guitar. This concentration will transfer to other parts of your child’s life! Playing the guitar uses the part of the brain that is the control center for memory, both cognitive and muscle memory. Continuous guitar lessons will train your child’s brain to activate and utilize the memory center of their brain, strengthening it. 

Appreciation of Music

Guitar lessons for children exposes them to types of music that children may not otherwise be exposed to, such as classical music. It also naturally shows them how much practice and patience it takes to create music, giving them an appreciation for the time, energy and creative knowledge musicians give to the world. 

Reduce Stress & Anxiety

Creating music, especially through learning to play guitar, is linked to many health benefits. One of those being emotional health state that is improved through playing music. Offering your child guitar lessons will allow them to enter a state of flow, relaxation, and lower heart rate. It is a natural way to relieve stress and anxiety in children!

Motor Skill Improvement 

Playing the guitar is a very technical skills. It requires particular fine motor movements, with specific finger placement and strumming. Plucking the guitar during lessons will improve your child’s finger dexterity, and can have positive effects on their handwriting, fine motor, and sport skills. It also improves the flexibility in hands and wrists over time. 

Academic Performance

Since learning to play the guitar has a positive impact on memory, concentration, discipline, and behavior, it gives the child the opportunity to transfer those skills into their academic performance. Studies have shown that guitar lessons enlarge the capabilities of a child’s left brain, which in turn increases their information store and intelligence. 

Inspires Creativity 

Guitar lessons will give children the opportunity to not only learn the technical skills, but have the chance to express themselves through a creative outlet in a way unlike anything else. Once children learn the notes and finger positioning, they can explore playing their favorite song, creating their own songs, and finding new avenues to express themselves. 

ATLANTA GUITAR LESSON LOCATIONS

You’ve decided that guitar lessons are right for your child and that you’d like them to reap the vast benefits of learning to play. Now to decide where they will take lessons. Here are the 3 of the top locations for guitar lessons for children in Atlanta. 

Atlanta Musicians Exchange 

Atlanta Musicians Exchange is located in Decatur, GA and offers spectacular one-on-one guitar lessons. Their rate is $125 per month for 30 minute lessons, 4 lessons per month. They also offer 5 lessons for the price of 4 for the first month of lessons. The lessons are held in a shop that offers a vast variety of guitar equipment, merchandise, and repairs. 

Atlanta School of Musical Arts

The Atlanta School of Musical Arts is located in Atlanta, Georgia and is the trusted school for guitar lessons offering lessons to children starting at 4 years old. They provide in-school and in-home music lessons, as well as in-person and online lessons. They have a unique approach to learning guitar, treating lessons as if children are learning a new language. 

The Guitar Shed

The Guitar Shed  is a modern music school located in Atlanta, Georgia at two different locations. They offer private and group lessons with experienced instructors, and the lesson times vary based on the student’s knowledge on handling the instrument. They’re known for offering reasonable rates and providing a strong foundation for a child’s musical career. 

Atlanta Tutors LLC is a local tutoring company that offers private, in-home tutoring for all academic subjects, K-12 and college. Give us a call at 678-412-5457 or email us at [email protected] to schedule a tutoring session.


Resources for Parents of Children with Dyslexia in Atlanta

Recent research shows that about 15-20% of the population is affected by a language-based learning disability, and about 80-90% of those are people with Dyslexia. With such a high population of students in need of the most targeted and effective reading instruction, it’s important to understand the resources available to children with dyslexia and their families. The following are resources and schools available in Atlanta. 

RESOURCES

The Dyslexia Resource

The Dyslexia Resource is a nonprofit organization that was created by the Schenck School Board of Trustees in 2014, and was developed to be “a community resource that helps students overcome reading deficiencies through research, partnerships, education, and outreach programs.” The Dyslexia Resource offers parent resources on where to find tutoring and summer programs, what to do before & after a dyslexia diagnosis, and support for students with dyslexia in the school system. They also offer Orton-Gillingham training programs for parents, which is an incredible resource and is highly recommended. Visit their “Resources” tab for videos, common signs & challenges, the brain with dyslexia, and so much more!

IDA Georgia 

The International Dyslexia Association Georgia Branch is a nonprofit organization with the goal of serving the needs of families, educators, and professionals that work with students with dyslexia. They offer parent resources in the areas of advocating for your child, laws and local policies, parent training, fact sheets and informational videos, articles to read and provider directories. They have a downloadable “IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know,” that offers crucial and valuable information to help your child succeed. 

Follow this link to download the IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know.

GADOE Dyslexia Informational Handbook 

The Dyslexia Informational Handbook was created by the Georgia Department of Education to provide guidance for school systems in serving students with Dyslexia. It is a comprehensive document including a definition of dyslexia and other associated reading disorders, teaching reading, addressing reading concerns in general education, screening for language-based learning disabilities, procedures for identifying students with dyslexia, providing instruction for students with dyslexia, and special education services for students with dyslexia. Although this handbook is intended to assist school system employees in serving students with Dyslexia, it is especially helpful for parents of these children to have access to and an understanding of the processes and procedures schools should be following. This will allow for parents to best advocate for their child! 

SCHOOLS

The Howard School

The Howard School is a private school offering education to students Kindergarten to 12th grade with language-based learning disabilities, including Dyslexia. Their staff have an expertise in language-based learning differences and their focus on language development is integrated within all of the other subjects, including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Sciences, Social Studies, Physical Education, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. They offer interdisciplinary teams at every grade level, including a classroom-based Speech and Language Pathologist. The Howard School also strongly believes in student-advocacy and takes part in student-led conferences, self-reflection and self-understanding. 

Follow this link to learn more about The Howard School: https://www.howardschool.org/

The Schenck School

The Schenck School is widely recognized to be the top school for children with Dyslexia in the United States. They admit students in Kindergarten to 6th grade and offer a comprehensive education and curriculum to allow for a strong base prior to transition out of Schenck. Their teaching strategies are based in the highly effective methods of the Orton-Gillingham Approach to reading. They offer Art, Music, P.E., Library and Technology along their general curriculum. Speech and Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists are on staff for students who qualify for their services.

Wardlaw School

The Wardlaw School is one of four schools within the Atlanta Speech School, and serves students with Dyslexia. Although they offer admissions to students ages Kindergarten to 6th grade, their program is intended to be short-term, with the intention of preparing students to reintegrate into their mainstream classroom in about 3 years. The Wardlaw school uses their own “Integrated Intervention Model,” created by Wardlaw School, to provide a program that is based on student need, rather than focusing on one method of instruction. They value seeing each child as an individual and offer interdisciplinary teams to ensure each individual need is met. 

Atlanta Tutors LLC provides in-home tutoring for students with learning challenges. Give us a call at 678-412-5457 to learn more.


Pros and Cons of Taking that Online SAT Prep Course

Most colleges recognize the SAT exam as the standard when they are sifting through applicants for admissions into their programs. This has created a high level of competition in SAT scores which has, in turn, caused an increase in the use of SAT tutoring and SAT prep courses. Utilizing a test prep course will not only give you the opportunity to practice course material that match your goals, but will also allow you to practice the format of the SAT and its question styles. SAT prep courses can ultimately lead to confidence when entering to sit for the exam. 

So, you decide it’s right for you; you’re going to participate in an SAT prep course. But when registering, you find the wide variety of options available online and in person. Online options can be very enticing – study from the comfort of your home. What are the pros and cons to taking this important course online? Is it right for you? Let’s explore. 

Time 

The time commitment required for an online SAT prep course can vary drastically from an in-person SAT prep course, depending on your location. There is also often a wider variety of time-of-day options for online courses, while in-person courses are often offered during typical tutoring business hours. When registering, consider the time you have available after school and the travel time to your local tutoring company. Do you have a part-time job after school that only leaves you available in the evenings? Online SAT prep course may be a good fit for you. Are you consistently available on the same afternoon each week? In-person SAT prep may be right for you. 

Flexibility 

One big pro for online SAT prep courses is the ability to work from anywhere. As someone who has taken online courses from a condo balcony with a view of the beachfront, I believe that flexibility can make a difference. If you’re going to be taking an SAT prep course over summer break or when you know you’ll have other commitments that will prevent you from traveling to the tutoring center, online may be the best option for you. The flexibility of online learning is especially beneficial right now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no reason to miss class due to quarantine if you’re able to attend online. 

Personalities

When considering an online SAT prep course, it’s important to take a look at your own personality. If you’re shy and reserved and prefer to focus on the content of the course rather than the relationship with your tutor or peers, the “behind the screen” format of online learning may be a pro for you. If you value relationship building or are easily distracted by the ability to open more internet tabs, then the “behind the screen” format may be a con for you. Relationships with tutors are best built in-person, where the tutor can get to know your strengths and and focus more diligently on your areas of needs.

Content

Most often, online SAT prep courses offer the same course options as in-person SAT prep. However, the accessibility of the content may be different. In-person tutors can offer unique ways of delivering information to students and gauge the effectiveness of their instruction based on student focus and understanding. An online instructor may not have the ability to present the information in multiple ways to develop the best understanding for each individual student. If you require a deep dive into certain areas of topic to gain an understanding of them, an in-person option may be best for you. 

Technology 

One potential con to taking that online SAT prep course is technology and its reliability. You will be required to have access to a computer, a stable internet connection, and the platform that the tutoring company uses to hold classes and present information. If your internet connection has a history of being unstable or you don’t have access to a high-functioning device, it’s likely that you won’t get as much out of a online course as you would in person, without instruction interruptions. 

Learning Differences 

As mentioned previously, relationships with tutors are best built in-person, where the tutor can get to know your strengths and and focus more diligently on your areas of needs. This is particularly true if you experience any learning differences or specific learning disabilities. An online SAT prep instructor may not be able to gain a full understanding of your needs or the best way you learn through online teaching. On the other hand, an in-person tutor would build a relationship with you, get to know you and your areas of need, and be willing to try multiple methods of instruction to find what’s best for you. 

Atlanta Tutors offers customized tutoring for the SAT. Contact us today to learn more about our personalized test prep options: 678-412-5457.

What to Know when Tutoring in Atlanta

Tutoring can be an all-inclusive profession. From SAT tutoring to special education and intervention, the job can entail more than one may think. Being a tutor in Atlanta only exemplifies this. What’s important to know when tutoring in Atlanta? Here, we’ll explore the details of tutoring in Atlanta by looking at the city, the kids and their families, and the content of the job. 

The City

Metro Atlanta is so diverse, that there is no defined majority racial group. It is the 9th largest and one of the fastest growing metro areas in the United States. In 2020, Atlanta was home to over 6 million people, with more than 1 million students being served through the Atlanta Public School System. Atlanta also ranks #7 in net migration, including people from who are not native English speakers. The median household income is $66,657, but incomes in Atlanta vary by location with medians ranging from $25,000 to $208,000 per year. 

The Kids & Their Families

Knowing the diverse statistics on the city of Atlanta allows a better understanding of the families who would be served. The city represents all races, ethnicities and backgrounds. According to the statistical atlas, 30% of households in Atlanta have children under the age of 18. 28% of those households are married and in 25% of those households, both parents work outside of the home. The students served as a tutor in Atlanta will be highly dependent on the location, income bracket, and areas of expertise of the tutoring company. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 34% of Georgia students are proficient or advanced readers by the time they enter the 4th grade. This statistic alone is a call for tutors who have the ability to teach children effective reading strategies!

The Content & Curriculum 

Atlanta content and curriculum is based off of the Georgia Standards of Excellence and the APS Common Core Georgia Performance Standards. Students are assessed using End of Course Tests (EOCT) and the Georgia Milestones Exam. Atlanta tutors should have a complete understanding of the core standards in the area they teach and should be equipped with specialized and targeted strategies for helping students reach those standards. High school students in Atlanta are encouraged to take the SAT or ACT during their junior year, and many families in Atlanta look for test prep tutors beginning freshman year. 

Find Georgia Standards of Excellence here:

https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards

Find Atlanta Public School’s Curriculum Guide here: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/61441

What does this mean for the content of the job of a tutor in Atlanta? 

It’s important to recognize the diversity in race, income and education level in Atlanta when considering a job as a tutor. With such a diverse population, educators of all types will be required to have an understanding of how to work with a wide variety of families, students and needs. Families from a higher income bracket may be looking for a tutor who specializes in SSAT prep tutoring, while families in the lower income bracket may be looking for a tutor to ensure that their child’s reading needs are met by supplementing their public education with tutoring. Getting experience with a variety of students, families and needs may help you to find your niche as a tutor – the best fit for you. Once you find your niche, hone in on the target strategies for students in that area or population. 

With the consistent rise in people comes a need for more educators, including tutors. In Georgia, the need for tutors is rising by 2.14% annually. The average income of a tutor in Atlanta is between $15-35 per hour, and is generally based on education and experience. With such a diverse population, the need for tutors who specialize in targeted areas of instruction will continue to rise. 

To apply to be a tutor with Atlanta Tutors, follow this link: https://atlantatutors.net/become-a-tutor/

How to be a Tutor: The Traits, Skills, and Experience You Need

Tutor: A private teacher for individuals or small groups. A skilled instructor. A mentor, a coach, a motivator. The word tutor seems almost all-encompassing – homework helper, special education, SAT prep, specialty skills, supplemental instruction, online tutors, the list goes on. More families than ever before are searching for high-quality tutors for their children. The online tutoring market alone is projected to grow by 15.6% in the next 7 years, seeming like a good time to enter the business! So, how do you know if it’s right for you? How do you know if you have what it takes to be a tutor? 

Traits of a High Quality Tutor

To be done well, tutoring requires certain personality traits that lend towards the ability to meet student needs. 

The best tutors have an innate growth mindset, wanting to grow not only themselves, but to help others around them (their students) do the same. They will have a passion for learning and will want to be life-long learners alongside their students. A great tutor will show empathy, being able to see situations through their student’s eyes. They’ll need to be able to connect and build rapport with not only the student, but their family as well. Creativity is a must in writing lessons, expanding knowledge, and keeping the student engaged!  It’s important to have a patient demeanor in tutoring, to be able to encourage independence from the student without rushing them or showing frustration. 

Tutoring also requires general professional traits that will allow for an upkeep of job performance. 

First, a great tutor needs strong communication. You’ll be communicating with the company you work for, the students you are serving, their families, and sometimes their teachers and school personnel. You’ll need to communicate on a regular, on-going basis and keep detailed logs of these communications. Second, a high quality tutor will have strong organization. Not only will you need to keep track of your records, data, intake forms, parent communications, billed hours, and tutoring materials, but you’ll need to be able to assist the students you serve in keeping track of their assignments, tests, homework and other learning materials! Last, but certainly not least, a fitting tutor will possess the ability to uphold confidentiality. A high quality tutor will know their student and their family deeply, and likely learn information about the student academically and outside of academics. All of this information should be shared with the student and family only – tutoring isn’t the job to share anecdotes about at dinner with friends.  

Skill Set of a High Quality Tutor

There are a number of skills that will increase your capability as a high quality tutor. The first being subject matter mastery. If your goal is to be an elementary science tutor, you should have a strong technical knowledge of K-5 science topics, standards, and science curriculum. You should be able to explain the science of the water cycle in multiple ways, to ensure an understanding by your student. 

Second, you’ll need an understanding of targeted interventions to match the curriculum for the subject matter you intend to teach. Keep in mind that many students require tutoring because the general academic instruction was not enough for them to master the concepts – they will need specific interventions to grasp the standards. 

The third skill you will need is the ability to adapt curriculum, standards, and lessons for a personalized learning environment. Most tutoring environments will be 1:1 or small group, in which the tutor should tailor the learning experience to appeal to their individual learning style and engage them in the work. 

Experience of a High Quality Tutor

While becoming a tutor only requires a high school diploma or a GED, there are other experiences that are beneficial and will help you not only stand out in the market, but become the best tutor you can be for your students. The most important experience is having spent time with children. A background in working with students of similar age group to who you intend to tutor will be helpful in finding and being successful in a tutoring position. 

Completing tutoring education & training will provide you with important knowledge and background information to assist you in being a high quality tutor. Georgia Highlands College offers Online Tutor Training, including 10 modules covering responsibilities, learning styles, disabilities, cultural differences, and more. Some companies will require Tutoring Certification, which can be pursued through certifying programs such as the National Tutoring Association. It would also be beneficial to join a Tutoring Association that aligns with your beliefs and tutoring mentality. A membership in these associations includes member benefits, conferences and networking opportunities. 

For more information on Georgia Highlands College Online Tutoring Training, visit: https://sites.highlands.edu/tutorial-center/tutor-resources/online-tutor-training/

A list of organizations that provide Tutoring Certification can be found here: https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/tutor/

Most importantly, a tutor will have the drive to want to make a difference in a child’s life and will be motivated by their students’ successes! 

Visit our website for information about becoming a tutor with Atlanta Tutors LLC.

The Georgia SAT: What High Schoolers Should Expect

The importance of performing well on SAT exams can put tremendous pressure on Georgia high school students as they look towards their dream college and hope for acceptance. One of the best ways to build confidence before walking in to sit for the SAT exam is to be familiar with what to expect and be prepared for the materials that will be covered. Here, we’ll review what high schoolers can expect the day of their Georgia SAT exam. 

Test Day

All Georgia SAT testing centers will follow the same rules, regulations and procedures which will allow you to know how to prepare for the day. All test centers will open at 7:45am and close the doors at 8:00am. If you’re late for the exam, you will be given the option to reschedule. Depending on your location, the test will take place in a classroom or a larger room with the capability of having all doors closed for a quiet environment. The test will begin between 8:30 and 9:00am. The test will last 4 hours and 5 minutes, including the optional essay section and break times. 

There are important materials to bring with you on exam day. Those items are: 

-Face covering (following local/state COVID-19 regulations)

-Your Admission Ticket

-Photo ID 

-Two No.2 pencils with erasers 

-Approved calculator

Additional suggested items include:

-A watch

-A drink and snacks (for during your break)

-Back up batteries for your calculator 

Electronic devices are strictly monitored and should be powered down or left at home the day of your SAT. If your device makes noise during the test, you will be dismissed from your test and your scores may be cancelled.

Follow this link to see the SAT Calculator Policy:

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/taking-the-test/calculator-policy

Time Limit & Subjects on SAT in Georgia 

The SAT Exam is 3 hours and 50 minutes long (if choosing to take the optional essay portion). Every SAT is administered in the exact same way. The subjects and sections will always appear in the same order: 

1. Reading (65 minutes, 52 questions)

2. Writing and Language (35 minutes, 44 questions)

3. Math without a Calculator (25 minutes, 20 questions)

4. Math with a Calculator (55 minutes, 38 questions) 

5. Essay – optional (50 minutes, 1 question)

When a section is beginning, the test coordinator will read instructions from a manual and respond to any questions about the procedures of the test. They will prompt you when it is time to begin each section. During the time limit, you must work only in the given section (no going forward to new sections or backward to previous sections). The test coordinator will then prompt you when a section has ended and when to move onto the next section. 

Keep in mind that even though the subjects always appear in the same order, questions within the sections are often displayed differently from booklet to booklet. The people near to you during the exam are unlikely to have the same booklet as you, and are unlikely to be working on the same question as you, even though they will be in the same section. 

Note that the essay section of the exam is optional. If you do not register to take the essay portion of the exam, your test time shortens to 3 hours. 

Question Format for the Georgia SAT

All questions on the SAT are presented in multiple choice format, with the exception of the optional essay question. 

The Reading section will be a passage or passages to read, followed by multiple choice questions in response to what was read. The passages will be literature, historical documents, social sciences, or natural sciences. The questions will cover content or vocabulary in context. 

The Writing and Language section will cover grammar, vocabulary usage, and editing skills. You’ll be revising sentences and passages by finding and fixing mistakes to make them better.

The Math section will cover topics in algebra, problem solving, data analysis, geometry, trigonometry and precalculus. The majority of the section will be typical multiple choice and 13 of the math questions will require you to produce your own answer and fill them in on a grid within your answer sheet. The beginning of the section will provide you with formulas that may be needed to answer questions, such as the area of a circle.

The Essay section is one question presented in passage format. You will read the passage and be expected to build a persuasive argument in essay form. It is best to use your nicest penmanship and stick to basic essay structure when responding to this section. 

Breaks

There is no doubt that 3 hours and 50 minutes is a long time to sit for an exam (a big benefit to practice exams – preparing yourself for the extent of the test!). There are three allotted time slots for breaks during the SAT, however, they aren’t long. The first break follows the reading section and is 10 minutes long. The second break follows the math without calculator sections and is 5 minutes long. During the first two breaks, you may leave the room, use the restroom, and have a snack or drink. The final break follows the math with calculator section and is 2 minutes long. During this break, you are only permitted to stand and stretch at your desk. 

Bring your ID and Admission Ticket with you on each break – you’ll be clocked out as you leave and back in as you re-enter. 

SAT Scoring

SAT scores range between 400 and 1600. Your score is the sum of your two section scores for (1) Math and (2) Reading and Writing. Each section can earn between 200 and 800 points and are scored in 10 point increments. While there is no standard “good score” on the SAT, the best number to aim for is 1200, which would place you in the 75th percentile. 

Follow this link for a detailed breakdown of how the SAT is scored: https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-is-the-sat-scored-scoring-charts

What Colleges Expect

Each College and University will have its own expectations for SAT scores. Some schools offer score thresholds for acceptance, and others hold strong to a minimum score required for application and acceptance. Your target score will vary by college you’ve applied for and the more selective the university, the higher score you’ll likely need to accomplish. To determine your target SAT score, you can do an online search for “(College Name) SAT Score Range” and aim for the 75th percentile of that score range to make yourself stand out in a crowd of applicants. 

Options for Retake 

It’s best to take your SAT exam in your junior year of high school and here’s why: there’s no limit to the number of times you may retake the exam. If you’re unhappy with your score, or it isn’t high enough for acceptance into the colleges you’ve applied to, you may register to take the exam again (and again) until you reach a score you’re pleased with. The college board places no restrictions on how many times you may take the SAT, but the most recent 6 scores you’ve earned will show on your file. Prepare early and take the exam as early as you can to give yourself time for the option of a retake.  

Follow this link to register for the Georgia SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register

Visit our website for information on SAT tutoring in Atlanta, Georgia and the surrounding suburbs.